A FORMER security guard to the Saudi Arabian royal family beat up a good friend and threatened to kill him in a row over a party, a court was told.

Ex-paratrooper Bradley Stewart, who was also said to have been on the security staff of the US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, held businessman Peter Whale in a neck lock, said Nick Ralph, prosecuting.

He said the 30-year-old then threatened to kill Mr Whale, who feared he would lose consciousness.

Mr Whale managed to break free and ran to the forecourt of a petrol filling station in terror.

Mr Ralph said Stewart followed and again began attacking his victim, repeatedly hitting him with his fists before turning his attention to police, who had arrived to quell the situation.

The court heard how CS gas was used to subdue Stewart, who also threatened to kill officers and began lashing out at them.

One, PC Sean Weldon, was punched on the jaw, loosening a tooth.

Both he and Mr Whale, who suffered a split tongue, bruised legs and a swollen cheek were taken to hospital, where Mr Whale was detained overnight, added Mr Ralph.

Court chairman Brian Pattyson told Stewart that he had shown none of the self-control and discipline associated with a trained soldier and had come very close to being sent to prison.

Stewart, of Dragon Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Whale actual bodily harm, assault on police and affray.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to do 100 hours unpaid community work by the town's magistrates.

Stewart was ordered to pay each of his victims £150, plus £200 costs.

In mitigation, Geoffrey Rogers said Stewart and Mr Whale were still "good friends".

They had been going to a party, but Mr Whale had changed his mind when he arrived by car at Stewart's home, triggering an argument which turned to violence.

He said that Stewart, in his own words, had "lost it completely" when CS gas was sprayed in his face.